At some point, Preston came out to tell me he had some things to do, and wouldn’t be joining me, but it was okay. I let my mind wander over the events of the last few weeks, as I went through different practice drills. It felt like some awful roller coaster, and I was happy to see the end of the crazy ride in sight.
Since the auto-tuned video of me surfaced, Anderson had backed-off considerably. He got his revenge on me, and part of me thought it was even sweeter than he had planned. If that was the case, it was possible he might be satisfied for the rest of the year. So, for now, that was one problem I could check off my list.
I was thrilled Preston and I were talking again after a stupid secret had torn us apart for weeks. He’d seemed as relieved as I was, and I hoped that it would never happen again.
Daria had taught me so much about friendship over the last couple of weeks, and I was lucky to have such a fantastic person in my life. I wished I could be half the friend she was one day.
Plus, basketball season was just around the corner, and so was the end of my athletic probation. My first game was so close I could almost taste it. I bounced the ball in front of me and took a shot at the hoop. It went right in.
Everything was looking up.
Everything except my relationship with Jackson.
The time I spent with him had been amazing. We’d had so much fun together. Jackson had made me realize what I wanted in a boyfriend. Too bad I’d completely screwed it up. I tried to convince myself it was for the best. Wasn’t that what I wanted when I’d told him and my brother off the night before?
I chose me.
Then why did I miss Jackson so much?
And why did he seem like the one missing piece in my happily ever after?
I took shot after shot, working through my issues. Even though Preston never joined me, it felt good to get it all out. I wasn’t sure how long I did this until I missed pretty badly and the ball went flying down the driveway.
When I went to chase after it, my heart stopped at the sight of Jackson standing there. I’d been so consumed by my thoughts I hadn’t seen or heard his Jeep pull up on the street in front of my house.
He grabbed the basketball and carried it in both hands as he walked over to where I stood. I held my breath as he got closer. When he was just a couple feet away from me, he finally stopped. I wasn’t sure if I was happy he kept his distance or wanted him to keep moving toward me.
We stood in silence staring at each other. Jackson's green eyes searched mine, making me feel vulnerable. My heart raced under the intensity of his stare. Maybe he could sense that in my expression because just as I was about to avert my gaze, a corner of his mouth lifted, and he tipped his chin in my direction.
“You look good in green and orange.”
I snorted as I looked down at my letterman jacket. It had to be the first time anyone complemented these colors. I hated the combination, as did most people at Rosemark.
“I think you’d look pretty in anything though.”
There he went complimenting me again. My mouth was tempted to curve in a smile of its own, but there were so many unanswered questions between us. I was still confused about where we stood with each other.
“What are you doing here?” I turned back toward my house, afraid Preston would see the two of us together, and I’d lose any headway I’d made with my brother.
“Charlie, don’t worry about him right now.”
My head snapped back to face Jackson.
“I need to talk to you.” He took a step in my direction.
My heart started beating heavy in my chest as I drank him in. “Yeah?” I squeaked. How embarrassing. I cleared my throat and tried again. “About what?”
Jackson walked closer so that he was just in front of me. The basketball that he still carried in his hands was millimeters from brushing my stomach. “I miss you.”
I miss you too, I thought, but quickly shook my head. “Jackson, I can’t.”
His brows lowered. “What do you mean, you can’t?”
I continued to shake my head. “I gotta go.”
Jackson let out a heavy sigh. “No, you don’t. You’re just scared.”
“I’m not scared,” I argued, as my brain shouted liar at me over and over again. “But the thing between you and Preston. I can’t let us get in the way of my relationship with my brother.”
“He knows I’m here.”
“What?”
“I told you not to worry about him.”
“How—”
“So, we’re both good shots, right?” Jackson interrupted, as he took a step back. He bounced the ball in front of him.
I nodded, unsure of why he asked and what was going on.
“I thought we might play a friendly game of HORSE.”
I snorted. “What are we, twelve?”
“I’m serious.” Jackson took a deep breath and turned his gorgeous eyes on me again. “Whoever wins, gets a prize. You don’t need to tell me what yours is yet, but I think you know what mine will be.”
I lifted my brows at him.
“I’m taking you on the second date we never got.”
My heart continued to pound in my chest, even though it had been several minutes since I’d done anything but stand and stare at Jackson. I wasn’t sure if I wanted to win or lose.
And what would I ask for if I won?
A big part of me wanted the same thing he did—and another part of me would just settle for another kiss like the one we shared at Sammi’s party.
“Do you agree to the terms?” Jackson asked, one corner of his mouth lifting in the most adorable smirk.
I bit the inside of my cheek and nodded.
“Good.” He threw the ball and, of course, it went in with no problem.
The ball bounced back to him, and he passed it to me. I walked over to where he stood and threw the ball at the hoop. It was an easy shot, and even though my hands shook a little from nerves, the ball went through the hoop smoothly. I let out a breath of relief.
So far, so good.
Jackson moved further down the driveway and sent the ball flying through the air. Again, it whooshed through the net.
And just like before, I walked over to where he stood. When I threw the ball, it bounced and circled the rim, but eventually went through. I let out a shaky breath.
It was a relatively easy shot, and I was embarrassed by how sloppily I’d thrown the ball. Jackson shot me a knowing grin, and it was so swoon-worthy, I wanted to kiss him right on the spot.
“It’s almost like you want to lose,” he said with a teasing tone.
His playful taunting made me relax. Why was I nervous anyway? Because some cute boy was trying to use basketball against me? And if he won, I got to go on a date with him? That was ridiculous.
I straightened my shoulders. “In your dreams.”
“Every night.” He winked at me.
I blushed but stood my ground.
Jackson stayed in the same place for his next shot, but lifted his left leg up off the ground, and put his left arm around his back. He balanced on one foot, and with one hand, threw the ball toward the hoop.
I narrowed my eyes at him as it went in and walked over to where he still stood. I turned and lifted my left foot and put my left arm behind my back. Just as I was about to take my shot, I felt strong hands circle my waist.
The ball fell from my hands as I turned around. Jackson’s face was inches from mine. His lips were tight as he suppressed a smile.
“Are you trying to make me miss on purpose? You know that’s cheating, right?”
He struggled to keep his face serious. “You were standing in the wrong spot.”
I looked down at where both of my feet now touched the driveway. “No, I wasn’t.”
Jackson nodded. “Yep.” His toe touched the ground about a foot from where I stood. “You should have been a little further to the right.”
I rolled my eyes. “You are so full of it.”
“
Hey.” He lifted his hands. “I’m just telling you how it is. If you want to forfeit…”
“That’s not happening.” I stepped over one foot to the right and looked up at him. “Here?”
He nodded.
I lifted my left foot and put my left hand behind my back. I aimed and threw the ball at the hoop. It went in, and I turned around and gave Jackson a triumphant smirk.
He laughed and shook his head but moved to the next spot. This time, it was much closer to the basketball hoop, and he turned around. After looking over his shoulder and gauging the distance, he sent the ball flying. And, shocker, it went through.
I followed suit, and also made it.
We were too evenly matched, and things went on like this for a long time. Neither one of us missed a single shot. At this rate, we were never going to spell HORSE. In fact, I worried our poor horses would never get out the gate.
Jackson was up again and held the ball in both hands. “This has gone on long enough. I say we have an all or nothing shot.”
I crossed my arms and raised my brows.
“I’m going to take one more turn. If you get it in, you automatically win. And if you miss, you lose.”
“And what if you don’t make the shot in the first place?” I asked.
“In the unlikely event I don’t make it, you win.”
I laughed. “Do you really want to take those odds?”
“It’s a bet I’m willing to take.”
“You’re on, Romeo.” My lips clamped together tightly. I hadn’t meant to say it but was having so much fun competing with him, it just slipped.
A giant grin stretched out across Jackson’s mouth, and I forcefully kept my eyes from looking at his lips too intently.
“Okay, Juliet. Here we go.”
Jackson positioned himself so that he was directly in front of the basketball hoop. It would be a piece of cake from where he stood. I half expected him to pull out a blindfold and start spinning in circles before taking his shot.
But he didn’t.
Jackson looked over at me, winked, and then threw the ball at the hoop. It hit the backboard and bounced to the left of where the hoop was. It didn’t pass through the net, wasn’t even close, and rolled until it was in the grass beside our driveway—far, far from where we both stood.
I stared at the ball in disbelief.
An exaggerated sigh came from Jackson. “Huh. I really thought I was going to make it.”
Funny, I also thought he was going to make that shot.
I narrowed my eyes in his direction. “You cheated.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” He took a step in my direction.
I moved closer to Jackson so that we were practically touching. “There’s no way you didn’t make that shot.”
He shrugged. “My hand slipped.”
“You’re lying.
“Prove it.” A corner of his mouth lifted.
That was it.
I couldn’t fight it anymore. Caught up in the moment, I leaned into him, and put my head against his chest. I took a deep breath. “I missed you.”
His arms wrapped around me. “Me too.”
I drank it all in. From the familiar scent of his cologne to the quick—but steady—beat of his heart. I felt safe as Jackson’s arms held me tightly against him.
I wanted to stay in his embrace forever, but eventually, he loosened his hold on me. He gazed into my eyes. “As the official winner, you still need to claim your prize.”
I shook my head and smiled up at him. “I choose you.”
Jackson grinned back at me before his face grew suddenly serious. His eyes searched mine, and when he’d found what he was looking for, he let out a shaky breath. He gently placed his hand on my cheek, and I held my breath as he lowered his mouth to mine.
The kiss was soft, but it was filled with promises.
I never wanted it to end—and, for a long time, it didn’t.
The cold air enveloped us as we both did our best to prove who had missed the other more in the time we hadn’t spoken. We put all the longing we’d experienced into that kiss, and it was a relief to finally let Jackson know how much I’d wanted him all this time.
When Jackson finally broke away, we both stood staring at each other a little dazed. I wobbled slightly on my feet though I’d never admit it.
“Wow,” I breathed.
“Yeah,” Jackson answered, also breathless. “So, does this mean…?”
I nodded. “I think so?”
“Oh, good.” He smiled. “Because I wasn’t willing to let us end in tragedy like the real Romeo and Juliet.”
And neither was I.
It was impossible to know what the future held for Jackson and me, but I was confident it wouldn’t involve a dagger or poison.
Sure, there would still be hurdles to overcome. Basketball season had just started, Rosemark and Pinebrook were still rivals, and while Preston had said he knew Jackson liked me, that didn’t mean he was his biggest fan.
But I also knew I’d be able to work through those things, as long as I had Jackson by my side.
Thanks for reading!
If you loved Courtside Crush, please take a minute to leave a review on Amazon or Goodreads. Reviews are essential to an author’s success.
And keep reading for a peek of Marlowe Junction in the early 2000’s with Chasing Love. It’s part of the Mountain Creek Drive series, written by the same authors who brought you Varsity Girlfriends.
Plus don’t forget to check out Off Center, the next installment of Varsity Girlfriends, written by M. F. Lorson.
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Acknowledgments
Wow. I didn’t think this book would ever get here.
Thanks be to God for letting me continue doing what I love!
And my husband and kids who keep cheering me on even after all these books. I love you guys so much!!
Jennifer and Andromeda: I have the best writing besties in the whole world. I appreciate you two so much!
Thank you, Robin, for going over this book with a fine-toothed comb.
And thanks to Angela, who caught the extra mistakes.
And Brooke. Wait. Seriously, there were more?
GG: Really???????
(Ugh, I lOve typoes. Wut wood I do without you?)
Alison: Thanks for helping me with the basketball parts so that things didn’t have to stay as “SPORTS THING” in the final draft
Jessica: This cover is gorgeous. Thank you for dealing with my pestering!
There are so many amazing people in the indie community and I won’t even try to thank you all. (Because I would miss someone very important!) But a huge thanks to everyone in Writing Gals and YA Contemporary Authors.
To my readers: Y’all are helping my little family every time you read one of my books, leave a review, or tell a friend. Thank you so much for sticking with me this first year and a half. It means so much to me. I adore you all!
About Kayla
Kayla has loved to read as long as she can remember. While she started out reading spooky stories that had her hiding under her covers, she now prefers stories with a bit more kissing.
When she gets a chance to watch TV, she enjoys cheesy sci-fi and superhero shows. Most days, you’ll catch her burning dinner in an attempt to cook while reading just one more chapter.
Find me online:
www.tirrellblewrites.com
[email protected]
Chapter One
“Not again,” I groaned as my dog ran off with another sneaker.
This was the second time this had happened this summer, and I wondered where she kept finding the stupid things. Seriously, who left their shoes lying around downtown Marlowe Junction? And why did my labradoodle have a sixth sense about them?
The first time it happened, I had been running downtown to avoid an end of summer cookout o
n the Drive. A lot of kids from school and their families had thrown it together. I didn’t feel like I belonged with any of them, and most definitely didn’t want to be running near them as they all ate. Nothing like a sweaty teenager to make everyone lose their appetite.
So, I’d loaded up Meatball, and we drove the short distance to town.
There was a small, grassy park in the center of town, with mostly empty sidewalks. It was the perfect place to get some energy out. We were walking through one of the rare crowds, catching our breath when it happened the second time.
I hadn’t been paying attention, distracted by a couple from school. They were walking down the sidewalk, hand in hand. I was wondering what it must feel like to have a boyfriend when my dog gave a hard tug on her lease. It slipped through my fingers. When I looked up, Meatball was running down the sidewalk, dodging in and out of the small crowd of people who were out shopping.
I ran block after block trying to keep up with my crazy dog as she raced like she caught a whiff of juicy steak. We raced past Petal Pushers (the local florist), past the salon where everyone got their nails done, and past the gift shop that sold tacky Marlowe Junction souvenirs.
As Meatball continued to run, we started moving away from the downtown area, into a more secluded area. We were hitting the open road at this point. My breathing was becoming more labored, I felt a cramp on my left side, and my tolerance level had just hit an all-time low.
I was seriously considering giving up and letting Meatball find her own way home when she finally stopped. She plopped herself on the sidewalk and started chewing happily on the shoe in her mouth.
“Bad… dog…” I said to her between breaths. “You cannot… keep… doing this. You aren’t… a puppy anymore.”
And I wasn’t used to running so fast for so long.
I walked up and sighed as I grabbed her leash in one hand. With my free hand, I wrestled the shoe out of her mouth. Not only was it slobbery, but the tread was almost completely separated from the sole. Meatball looked unremorseful as she looked up at me, panting hard. It was almost as loud as my breathing.
Courtside Crush: Varsity Girlfriends Book One Page 17